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Influence of parity and litter size on gestation length in beagle dogs |
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| Authors: | Makoto Seki Norio Watanabe Kenyo Ishii Yoh-ichi Kinoshita Takehiro Aihara Shuji Takeiri Takeshige Otoi |
| Institution: | Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan (Seki, Otoi); Kawasaki Mitaka K. K., Mitaka, Tokyo 181-0013, Japan (Seki, Watanabe, Ishii); Kitayama labes Co. Ltd., Kuga, Yamaguchi 740-0601, Japan (Kinoshita, Aikara, Takeiri) |
| Abstract: | This study was conducted to investigate the effects of parity and litter size on gestation length in beagle bitches. The mean duration of the initial elevation (>2 ng/mL) in progesterone concentrations after the onset of proestrus was shorter (P < 0.05) in bitches without (nulliparous) whelping experience than in bitches with (multiparous) whelping experience (6.9 d versus 8.0 d). When calculated as the interval between the day of initial elevation in progesterone concentrations and the day of whelping, the gestation length in the nulliparous bitches was noted to be similar to that in the multiparous bitches (64.3 d versus 64.2 d). No significant correlation between gestation length and litter size was observed in any of the bitches. Our results indicate that the gestation length in beagle bitches is not affected by parity or litter size. |
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